The palace was quieter than usual that night. Too quiet. Even the lanterns lining the halls flickered with unease, their light casting long, shifting shadows against the stone walls.
Liora couldn't sleep. The Crown Prince's words haunted her:
They'll come for me soon. But they'll try to reach me through you first.
She paced her chamber, her nerves fraying with each silent second.
[System Alert: Suspicious movement detected in the Inner Court.]
[Warning: High-level assassination event triggered.]
[New Objective: Protect the Crown Prince. Optional: Intervene.]
Liora froze. Her eyes snapped to the sword the Crown Prince had gifted her two nights ago a beautifully carved dagger, purely ceremonial. Useless in real combat.
But she grabbed it anyway.
She tore through the darkened corridors, breath ragged, feet silent against the cool stone. Her heart pounded as she passed the empty guard posts. Something was wrong.
The guards were gone. Or worse removed.
She turned the final corner toward the Crown Prince's personal chambers only to hear the clash of metal.
"No.
She didn't think. She sprinted.
Inside, the Crown Prince was locked in a duel with a cloaked assassin wielding twin blades. One of the Prince's shoulders was bleeding deep red soaking into his night robes.
He blocked another strike but was clearly off balance, barely keeping up.
A second assassin appeared from the shadows, aiming a dagger straight for his back.
Liora didn't scream. She didn't have time. She threw herself forward between the blade and him.
Pain exploded in her side. The impact sent her crashing to the floor.
The Crown Prince turned at the sound, fury igniting in his eyes as he saw her bleeding. Something in him snapped.
You shouldn't have touched her.
His strikes became brutal, precise almost feral. Within seconds, both assassins were on the ground. One dead. The other dying.
The silence that followed was broken only by Liora's breathing shallow, panicked.
The Prince dropped to his knees beside her, pressing his hand to the wound. "Liora why would you
Wasn't thinking," she whispered, her lips trembling. "That's… that's new for me.
He cursed under his breath, tearing his robe to press against the wound. "You could've died.
But I didn't." She smiled weakly. "Surprise.
His expression crumpled just slightly. "You stupid, infuriating woman
You're welcome," she rasped.
He let out a choked laugh. "You just earned yourself a hundred more enemies.
"Already had them. What's a few more?
[System Notification: Event Completed – Protected the Male Lead.]
[Affection Level: 88% – Critical Emotional Bond Formed.]
[Injury sustained: Minor stab wound. Will recover in 3 days.]
The next morning, the entire palace was in chaos. The Crown Prince summoned the generals, locked down the court, and interrogated every servant within five wings of his chamber.
But he didn't leave Liora's side.
She lay in his private inner quarters now, wrapped in clean linen bandages, sipping bitter medicine while he paced like a caged lion.
You were the target, he said finally. "But they knew if they failed… they could go through you.
Liora nodded. "They expected me to be a weakness.
They were wrong.
He turned to face her, stepping close. "I've been taught not to care. Not to feel. But last night, when you fell
His voice cracked.
"I've never felt rage like that.
Liora looked up at him. "Then don't push me away now.
He sat beside her and took her hand. For once, no tension. No strategy. Just warmth.
You've risked more than anyone ever has for me," he said. "I won't forget it.
[New System Achievement: Heart of the Crown.]
[Main Lead's protection unlocked. New skill: Royal Favor – immunity to court punishment unless revoked.]
He exhaled slowly. "When this is over… I want you by my side. Not just as a courtesan. Not as a pawn. But as someone who matters.
Liora blinked. "You realize how hard it'll be? The court Lady Mei your enemies
I'll deal with them," he said simply. "Let them come.
Then, softer: "But I can't lose you. Not again."
Again?" she echoed.
He stiffened slightly, then shook his head. "Not now. Not yet.
That night, as she drifted into a pain soaked sleep, the System hummed one last update:
[World 1 – Final Arc Triggered.]
[Remaining Time: 12 Days.]
[Final Mission: Expose the Prime Minister. Defeat the conspiracy.]
And below that, in red:
[Warning: Lady Mei has gone to war.]